Blow mold unit and blow molding apparatus using the same

ABSTRACT

A blow mold unit includes a first and a second blow cavity split mold, and a plurality of raised-bottom molds. The blow mold unit also includes a first and a second securing plates on which the first and the second blow cavity split mold are secured, a plurality of first pressure-receiving plates respectively secured on the first and the second securing plates, a third securing plate disposed between the first and the second securing plates, the plurality of raised-bottom molds secured on the third securing plate, a plurality of shafts suspended from the third securing plate, and a plurality of second pressure-receiving plates secured on the first and the second securing plates at a position below the third securing plate.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of International Patent ApplicationNo. PCT/JP2010/73271, having an international filing date of Dec. 24,2010, which designated the United States and which claims priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2010-019403 filed on Jan. 29, 2010, theentirety of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a blow mold unit and a blow moldingapparatus using the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is necessary to use a raised-bottom mold as a blow mold when forminga blow-molded container having a bottom that protrudes inward (e.g.,dome-like bottom or free-standing bottle). A raised-bottom mold that isclamped to a pair of blow cavity split molds may be required separatelyfrom the pair of blow cavity split molds.

For example, two rows of blow molds that are secured in a back-to-backarrangement (see FIGS. 5 and 6 of JP-B-8-13501) may be used. Whenmolding a container having a raised bottom using the two rows of blowmolds disclosed in FIGS. 5 and 6 of JP-B-8-13501, a blow-moldedcontainer interferes with the raised-bottom mold and breaks if theraised-bottom mold is not removed before opening one of the pair of blowcavity split molds.

The raised-bottom mold may be moved upward and downward irrespective ofthe number of rows of blow molds from the viewpoint of ensuring moldingquality (e.g., adjustment of the orientation or the thickness of thebottom). In JP-A-6-270235, the raised-bottom mold is moved upward anddownward in order to ensure impact resistance upon falling or the like.

The pair of blow cavity split molds and the raised-bottom mold areclosed in synchronization. However, a blow cavity mold closing/opening(clamping) device for the pair of blow cavity split molds and a driverdevice for the raised-bottom mold are provided independently. Therefore,when attaching or removing the blow mold to or from the blow moldingapparatus, the pair of blow cavity split molds is attached to or removedfrom the blow cavity split mold closing/opening device, and theraised-bottom mold is attached to or removed from the raised-bottom molddriver device.

JP-B-4319863 discloses a rotary transfer blow molding apparatus that isconfigured so that a transfer plate that is intermittently transferredis moved upward and downward in an injection molding station that is oneof a plurality of stations.

The blow mold includes a pair of blow cavity split molds and araised-bottom mold that are attached to or removed from a differentclosing/opening device. Therefore, it is difficult to handle the pair ofblow cavity split molds and the raised-bottom mold as an integral unit.This results in poor attachment/removal workability.

The blow cavity mold closing/opening device is disposed on the base ofthe blow molding apparatus, while the raised-bottom mold closing/openingdevice is disposed under the base of the blow molding apparatus.Therefore, it is troublesome to exchange the raised-bottom mold underthe base when attaching or removing the blow mold to or from the blowmolding apparatus.

The exchange work becomes more complex when using two rows of blowmolds. For example, a mold closing/opening device that closes/opens tworows of blow molds performs a single-sided operation, and the blow moldsare connected using a horizontal tie rod (see FIGS. 5 and 6 ofJP-B-8-13501). This is because the blow molds cannot be slidinglytransferred on the base of the blow molding apparatus when using thehorizontal tie rod.

Several aspects of the invention may provide a blow mold unit that makesit possible to integrally handle a pair of blow cavity split molds and araised-bottom mold that are attached to or removed from a differentdriver device, and a blow molding apparatus using the same.

Several aspects of the invention may provide a blow mold unit that makesit possible to integrally handle two rows of a pair of blow cavity splitmolds and two rows of raised-bottom molds that are attached to orremoved from a different driver device, and a blow molding apparatususing the same.

Several aspects of the invention may provide a blow mold unit that makesit possible to integrally handle two rows of a pair of blow cavity splitmolds that are attached to or removed from a different driver device,and a blow molding apparatus using the same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

(1) According to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided ablow mold unit that is secured on a base of a blow molding apparatus,the blow mold unit comprising:

a blow mold that includes a first blow cavity split mold, a second blowcavity split mold, and a plurality of raised-bottom molds, the firstblow cavity split mold and the second blow cavity split mold beingclosed so that a parting surface of the first blow cavity split mold anda parting surface of the second blow cavity split mold come in contactwith each other, and the plurality of raised-bottom molds respectivelydefining a raised-bottom shape in a plurality of cavities defined by thefirst blow cavity split mold and the second blow cavity split mold;

a first securing plate on which the first blow cavity split mold issecured;

a second securing plate on which the second blow cavity split mold issecured;

a plurality of first pressure-receiving plates, the plurality of firstpressure-receiving plates being respectively disposed on either side ofthe first blow cavity split mold and either side of the second blowcavity split mold, and being respectively secured on the first securingplate and the second securing plate;

a third securing plate that is disposed between the first securing plateand the second securing plate, the plurality of raised-bottom moldsbeing secured on a first side of the third securing plate;

a plurality of shafts that are suspended from a second side of the thirdsecuring plate that is opposite to the first side, a lower end of eachof the plurality of shafts being a free end; and

a plurality of second pressure-receiving plates that are secured on thefirst securing plate and the second securing plate at a position belowthe third securing plate.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the third securing platethat supports the plurality of raised-bottom molds is disposed betweenthe first securing plate and the second securing plate on which thefirst blow cavity split mold, the second blow cavity split mold, thefirst pressure-receiving plate, and the second pressure-receiving plateare secured. The third securing plate comes in contact with theplurality of second pressure-receiving plates that are secured on thefirst securing plate and the second securing plate at a position belowthe third securing plate, and can be positioned when attaching orremoving the blow mold unit. The first blow cavity split mold, thesecond blow cavity split mold, and the raised-bottom molds are thusintegrated as a unit. The plurality of shafts that are suspended fromthe third securing plate and serve as a driving shaft that moves theraised-bottom molds upward and downward are separated from theraised-bottom mold driver device of the blow molding apparatus whenattaching or removing the blow mold unit. The first securing plate andthe second securing plate are also separated from the mold closing plateof the mold closing/opening device when attaching or removing the blowmold unit. This makes it possible to integrally attach or remove theblow mold unit to or from the blow molding apparatus.

(2) The blow mold unit may further comprise,

a slide plate that slides on the base being secured on a lower end ofeach of the first securing plate and the second securing plate, and

the free ends of the plurality of shafts being positioned above ahorizontal height position of a lower side of the slide plate in a statein which the third securing plate comes in contact with the plurality ofsecond pressure-receiving plates.

According to the above configuration, the lowermost side of the blowmold unit is formed by the slide plate, and the plurality of shaftssuspended from the third securing plate do not interfere with a memberof the blow molding apparatus when sliding the blow mold unit.

(3) The blow mold unit may further comprise,

a connection section being formed in the free ends of two shafts amongthe plurality of shafts, the connection section being coupled by acoupling member to an upper end of a bottom mold driving rod thatprotrudes from the base.

According to the above configuration, a downward driving force can betransmitted to the two shafts via the coupling members when the bottommold driving rods are moved downward, so that the raised-bottom moldscan be moved downward. Since the two shafts can be connected to ordisconnected from the upper end of the driving rods using the couplingmembers, the blow mold unit can be easily exchanged. Moreover, thecoupling member can be attached or removed on the base when the freeends of the plurality of shafts are always positioned above the base.Note that the plurality of shafts may include shafts that are notcoupled to the upper end of the bottom mold driving rod via the couplingmember. The shafts that are not connected to the upper end of the bottommold driving rod can be moved upward due to at least the upper end ofthe bottom mold driving rod to close the raised-bottom molds, and canreceive pressure when the raised-bottom molds are closed. When the twoshafts coupled by the coupling members are positioned on either side inthe arrangement direction of the raised-bottom molds, a sufficientcoupling space can be provided when using a rotary transfer blow moldingapparatus. In this case, since the shafts that are not connected to theupper end of the bottom mold driving rod are disposed between the shaftscoupled by the coupling members, flexure of the third securing plate canbe prevented, so that the accuracy of the height of the plurality ofraised-bottom molds can be improved. This improves the molding qualityof the molded articles.

(4) In the blow mold unit,

two second pressure-receiving plates among the plurality of secondpressure-receiving plates that respectively surround the two shafts maybe formed in a shape of a pair of split molds that are respectivelysecured on the first securing plate and the second securing plate, andmay include a clearance section that prevent interference with the twoshafts when the first blow cavity split mold and the second blow cavitysplit mold are closed, and

two second pressure-receiving plates among the plurality of secondpressure-receiving plates that respectively surround remaining shaftsamong the plurality of shafts other than the two shafts may be securedon one of the first securing plate and the second securing plate, andmay be provided with a bush that surrounds a shaft among the remainingshafts.

The second pressure-receiving plates can thus receive the clamping forceapplied to the first blow cavity split mold and the second blow cavitysplit mold.

In one embodiment of the invention, a temperature control medium passagemay be formed in the first securing plate, the second securing plate,and the third securing plate. In this case, the first blow cavity splitmold and the second blow cavity split mold can be controlled intemperature (e.g., cooled) via the first securing plate and the secondsecuring plate Likewise, the raised-bottom mold can be controlled intemperature (e.g., cooled) via the third securing plate. The secondpressure-receiving plate can also be controlled in temperature (e.g.,cooled) via the third securing plate. This makes it possible to preventthermal expansion of the pres sure-receiving plate, so that adhesion tothe plurality of shafts can be maintained.

The blow mold unit according to one embodiment of the invention mayfurther include a mounting section by which a temporary securing memberis removably secured, the temporary securing member temporarily securingthe first securing plate and the second securing plate when attaching orremoving the blow mold unit to or from the blow molding apparatus.

According to the above configuration, the first securing plate and thesecond securing plate that have been removed from the moldclosing/opening device can be positioned when attaching or removing theblow mold unit. Therefore, the members of the blow mold unit areintegrally secured, so that handling is facilitated.

(5) In the blow mold unit,

the blow mold may be formed by two rows of blow molds, each of the tworows of blow molds including the first blow cavity split mold and thesecond blow cavity split mold that are closed so that the partingsurface of the first blow cavity split mold and the parting surface ofthe second blow cavity split mold come in contact with each other, andthe plurality of raised-bottom molds,

the first blow cavity split molds of the two rows of blow molds may besecured on the first securing plate in a back-to-back arrangement, and

two of the second securing plates may be respectively providedcorresponding to each of the second blow cavity split molds of the tworows of blow molds.

One embodiment of the invention may be particularly effective for a blowmold unit that includes two rows of blow molds that have a large volumeand are heavy. It becomes unnecessary to provide a horizontal tie rod(see FIG. 10 of JP-B-8-13501) by securing the first blow cavity splitmolds of the two rows of blow molds on the first securing plate in aback-to-back arrangement. Therefore, the blow mold unit does notinterfere with another member when the blow mold unit is slid on thebase of the blow molding apparatus.

(6) The blow mold unit may further comprise:

a mounting section by which a temporary securing member is removablysecured, the temporary securing member temporarily securing the twosecond securing plates and positioning the two second securing platesrelative to the first securing plate when attaching or removing the blowmold unit to or from the blow molding apparatus.

According to the above configuration, the two second securing platesthat have been removed from the mold closing/opening device can bepositioned relative to the first securing plate when attaching orremoving the blow mold unit. Therefore, the members of the blow moldunit are integrally secured, so that handling is facilitated.

(7) The blow mold unit may further comprise:

two securing blocks that are secured on the base,

the two securing blocks may be respectively secured on two firstpressure-receiving plates among the plurality of firstpressure-receiving plates that are positioned on either side of thefirst blow cavity split molds secured on the first securing plate, andeach of the two securing blocks may secure the two firstpressure-receiving plates on the base.

It is unnecessary to move the first securing plate on which the twofirst blow cavity split molds are secured in a back-to-back arrangementwhen closing or opening the blow mold. Therefore, the firstpressure-receiving plates secured on the first securing plate aresecured on the base of the blow molding apparatus via the two securingblocks. This makes it possible to secure the blow mold unit on the blowmolding apparatus.

(8) In the blow mold unit,

each of the two securing blocks may include a roller that comes inrolling contact with the base, and a roller driving member that movesthe roller downward from an upward position at which the roller does notcome in rolling contact with the base to a downward position at whichthe roller comes in rolling contact with the base.

(9) The blow mold unit may further comprise:

two reinforcing plates, either end of each of the two reinforcing platesbeing secured on an outer wall of two mold closing/opening sectionssecured on the base,

a middle part of each of the two reinforcing plates may secure the twofirst pressure-receiving plates on either side of the first blow cavitysplit molds on the two mold closing/opening sections at a positionhigher than the two securing blocks.

The two reinforcing plates prevent a situation in which the upper end ofthe two first blow cavity split molds that are secured by the twosecuring blocks at the lower end falls in the mold opening/closingdirection. If only one of the two second blow cavity split molds isclosed in advance relative to the first blow cavity split mold due todesynchronization caused by backlash or the like, the upper end of thefirst blow cavity split mold that is secured only at the lower end mayfall.

In one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of stoppers may beformed on the upper side of the first securing plate, the plurality ofstoppers restricting the lower limit position of transfer plates thattransfer a plurality of neck molds that are clamped to the first blowcavity split mold and the second blow cavity split mold.

The plurality of stoppers can implement a function of a lower limitstopper for the transfer plates and a function that maintains theparallelism of the transfer plates. If the transfer plates are tilted orwarped in the arrangement direction of the plurality of neck molds, theclamping (closing) height of the plurality of neck molds becomesnon-uniform, so that the molding quality deteriorates.

(10) According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provideda blow mold unit that is secured on a base of a blow molding apparatus,the blow mold unit comprising:

two rows of blow molds that respectively include a first blow cavitysplit mold and a second blow cavity split mold, the first blow cavitysplit mold and the second blow cavity split mold being closed so that aparting surface of the first blow cavity split mold and a partingsurface of the second blow cavity split mold come in contact with eachother;

a first securing plate on which the first blow cavity split molds of thetwo rows of blow molds are secured in a back-to-back arrangement;

two second securing plates on which the second blow cavity split moldsof the two rows of blow molds are respectively secured;

a plurality of first pressure-receiving plates, the plurality of firstpressure-receiving plates being respectively disposed on either side ofeither of the first blow cavity split molds of the two rows of blowmolds or either side of either of the second blow cavity split molds ofthe two rows of blow molds, and being respectively secured on the firstsecuring plate or either of the two second securing plates; and

two securing blocks that are secured on the base,

the two securing blocks being respectively secured on two firstpressure-receiving plates among the plurality of firstpressure-receiving plates that are positioned on either side of thefirst blow cavity split molds secured on the first securing plate, andeach of the two securing blocks securing the two firstpressure-receiving plates on the base.

This embodiment of the invention defines applying the structure asdefined in (7) to a blow mold unit that includes two rows of blow molds,and does not necessarily include a raised-bottom mold.

(11) The structure as defined in (8) may also be applied to thisembodiment of the invention.

(12) The structure as defined in (9) may also be applied to thisembodiment of the invention.

(13) Another embodiment of the invention defines a blow moldingapparatus that includes a blow mold unit that has the above structureand includes one row of blow mold and a plurality of raised-bottommolds. The raised-bottom molds may be moved upward and downward whenusing one row of blow mold. In this case, it is possible to handle apair of blow cavity split molds and a raised-bottom mold that areattached to or removed from different driver devices as an integralunit. This improves the blow mold unit attachment/removal workability.

(14) Another embodiment of the invention defines a blow moldingapparatus that includes a blow mold unit that has the above structureand includes two rows of blow molds and a plurality of raised-bottommolds. It is indispensable to move the raised-bottom molds upward anddownward when using two rows of blow molds that are configured so thattwo blow cavity split molds are secured in a back-to-back arrangement.In this case, it is possible to handle a pair of blow cavity split moldsand a raised-bottom mold that are attached to or removed from differentdriver devices as an integral unit. This improves the blow mold unitattachment/removal workability.

(15) Another embodiment of the invention defines a blow moldingapparatus that includes a blow mold unit that has the above structure,includes two rows of blow molds, and does not necessarily include araised-bottom mold.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating four main steps performed by arotary transfer blow molding apparatus according to one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an injection molding step thatinjection-molds two rows of preforms disposed at a row pitch P1.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a temperature control step thatpreliminarily blow-molds two rows of preforms disposed at a row pitchP1.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a process that changes the row pitch oftwo rows of preforms removed from temperature-controlled pot molds fromP1 to P3.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a process that transfers two rows ofpreforms disposed at a row pitch P3 to blow molds.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a process that closes blow molds (rowpitch: P1).

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a process that opens blow molds (rowpitch: P2).

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a sequential ejection step (row pitch:P1).

FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating a rotary transfer blow moldingapparatus according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a temperature-controlled pot liftmechanism disposed in a temperature control station.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view illustrating a transfer plate.

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating a row pitch change section disposed in atemperature control station.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a pitch change operation of a row pitchchange section disposed in a temperature control station.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a row pitch-keeping member disposed on atransfer member.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XV-XV in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating a state in which two rows of preformsdisposed at a row pitch P3 have been transferred to a blow moldingstation.

FIG. 17 is a view illustrating a state in which two rows of preformsdisposed at a row pitch P3 have been transferred to two rows of blowmolds that are opened.

FIG. 18 is a view illustrating a state in which blow molds are closed(row pitch: P1).

FIG. 19 is a view illustrating a state in which blow molds are opened(row pitch: P2).

FIG. 20 is a view illustrating a transfer operation from a blow moldingstation (row pitch: P2).

FIG. 21 is a plan view illustrating an ejection station.

FIG. 22 is a side view illustrating an ejection station.

FIG. 23 is a schematic oblique view illustrating a blow molding stationthat includes a blow mold unit.

FIG. 24 is a front cross-sectional view illustrating a blow mold unit.

FIG. 25 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a blow mold unit.

FIG. 26 is a front view illustrating a first shaft.

FIG. 27 is a front view illustrating a second shaft.

FIG. 28A is a view illustrating a state in which a first shaft and afirst connection section come in contact with other, FIG. 28B is a viewillustrating a state in which a coupling member is opened, and FIG. 28Cis a view illustrating a state in which a coupling member is closed.

FIG. 29 is an oblique view illustrating a securing block.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below.Note that the following embodiments do not in any way limit the scope ofthe invention defined by the claims laid out herein. Note also that allelements of the following embodiments should not necessarily be taken asessential elements of the invention.

An example of a blow molding apparatus according to one embodiment ofthe invention that utilizes two rows of blow molds is described below.Note that the invention is not limited to a blow molding apparatus thatemploys a pitch change method described in connection with the followingembodiments, but may also be applied to a blow molding apparatus thatemploys various pitch change methods such as that disclosed inJP-B-8-13501. Note also that the invention is not limited to a blow moldunit that includes two rows of blow molds, but may also be applied to ablow mold unit that includes one row of blow molds such as thatdisclosed in JP-A-6-270235. The following embodiments appropriatelyrefer to an example of a structure that includes one row of blow molds.

1. Molding Process Performed by Blow Molding Apparatus, and Row Pitch

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating four main steps performed by arotary transfer blow molding apparatus according to one embodiment ofthe invention. The four main steps include an injection molding step, atemperature control step, a blow molding step, and an ejection step. Arotary transfer blow molding apparatus 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 includesan injection molding station 12, a temperature control station 14, ablow molding station 16, and an ejection station 18, the injectionmolding station 12, the temperature control station 14, the blow moldingstation 16, and the ejection station 18 being respectively provided inregions obtained by equally dividing a transfer region (360 o) into fourregions. The rotary transfer blow molding apparatus 10 also includesfour transfer plates (i.e., transfer-support members) 20A to 20D thatare intermittently transferred (rotated) to the injection moldingstation 12, the temperature control station 14, the blow molding station16, and the ejection station 18. FIG. 1 illustrates a state in which thetransfer plate 20A is intermittently transferred to the injectionmolding station 12, the temperature control station 14, the blow moldingstation 16, and the ejection station 18.

Each of the transfer plates 20A to 20D supports molded articles 1 (i.e.,preforms 1A, preliminarily blow-molded preforms 1B, or containers 1C)via two rows of holding plates 30. The two rows of holding plates 30(not illustrated in FIG. 1; see FIGS. 2 to 8) are provided so that therow pitch can be changed to P1, P2, or P3 (P1<P3<P2). For example, therow pitch P1 is 190 mm, the row pitch P2 is 290 mm, and the row pitch P3is 210 mm.

FIGS. 2 to 8 illustrate the row pitch of the two rows of holding plates30 employed in each step. Note that the two rows of holding plates 30are supported by the transfer plate 20 (20A to 20D) so as to be slidablein the row direction (see FIG. 2 of JP-B-8-13501). One row of holdingplate 30 is supported by the transfer plate 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 1to 3 of JP-A-8-244103.

In the injection molding station 12 (see FIG. 2), a plurality of (twelvein FIG. 1) preforms 1A are injection-molded using two rows of injectioncavity molds 40, neck molds 42 that are respectively held by the tworows of holding plates 30, and injection core molds (not illustrated inFIG. 2). The row pitch during injection molding is set to the minimumpitch P1. Note that the transfer plate 20A is moved downward to a heightH2 during injection molding, and clamps the neck molds 42 held by thetransfer plate 20A to the two rows of injection cavity molds 40, theheight H2 being lower than a height H1 of the transfer plate 20A duringtransfer by a distance L. The transfer plate 20A is moved upward afterthe preforms 1A have been injection-molded, so that the preforms 1A heldby the neck molds 42 are removed from the injection cavity molds 40. Theinjection core molds (not illustrated in FIG. 2) are also moved upward,and removed from the preforms 1A. The preforms 1A held by the neck molds42 are then transferred to the temperature control station 14 byrotating the transfer plate 20A.

In the temperature control station 14 (see FIG. 3) that is disposed onthe downstream side of the injection molding station 12 in the transferdirection, the body of the preforms 1A is caused to come in contact withthe heated inner wall surface of two rows of temperature-controlled potmolds 50 so that the preforms 1A are heated to an optimum blowtemperature. In one embodiment of the invention, the preforms 1A arepreliminarily blow-molded in the two rows of temperature-controlled potmolds 50, and the preliminarily blow-molded preforms (1B) are caused tocome in contact with the inner wall surface of the two rows oftemperature-controlled pot molds 50. The body of the preliminarilyblow-molded preforms 1B is thus increased in diameter (see FIG. 4), andheated to an optimum blow temperature. The row pitch of the two rows ofholding plates 30 in the temperature control step is set to P1, forexample. Specifically, the row pitch of the two rows oftemperature-controlled pot molds 50 is also set to P1. Alternatively,the row pitch of the two rows of temperature-controlled pot molds 50 maybe set to the intermediate pitch P3 (P1<P3<P2), and the row pitch of thetwo rows of holding plates 30 may also be set to the intermediate pitchP3 in the temperature control step. Note that the two rows oftemperature-controlled pot molds 50 can be moved upward and downward.The two rows of temperature-controlled pot molds 50 are set at theupward position in the temperature control step. Thetemperature-controlled pot mold 50 used to preliminarily blow-mold thepreform includes a pair of temperature-controlled pot split molds 52Aand 52B that can be opened and closed. A temperature-controlled core maybe used in the temperature control step. Note that the preforms need notnecessarily be preliminarily blow-molded, as described later.

When transferring the preliminarily blow-molded preforms 1B, the rowpitch of the two rows of holding plates 30 is set to the intermediatepitch P3 (P3<P1) (see FIG. 4) taking account of the blow molding step.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7, the blow molding station 16 that isdisposed on the downstream side of the temperature control station 14 inthe transfer direction includes two rows of blow molds 60. In the blowmolding station 16, the preliminarily blow-molded preforms 1B areblow-molded into containers 1C in the two rows of blow molds 60 that areclosed (see FIG. 6). In the blow molding step, the transfer plate 20A ismoved downward to a height H3 in the same manner as in the injectionmolding step.

Each of the two rows of blow molds 60 includes a pair of blow cavitysplit molds 62A and 62B, and a raised-bottom mold 63 (see FIG. 6). Thecontainers 1C are provided with a raised bottom 1C1 (see FIG. 7) due tothe two rows of raised-bottom molds 63. The blow cavity split molds 62Aadjacent to each other in the row direction are secured in aback-to-back arrangement, and the blow cavity split molds 62B disposedon the outer side in the row direction are closed/opened. The row pitchof the two rows of blow molds is set to P2 when the blow cavity splitmolds 62B disposed on the outer side in the row direction have beenopened (see FIGS. 5 and 7). Specifically, the blow cavity split molds62A and 62B are disposed at unsymmetrical positions with respect to theblow molding centerlines (i.e., the vertical lines that indicate thepitch P3 in FIG. 5) when the blow cavity split mold 62B is opened (seeFIG. 5). When one row of blow mold 60 is provided, the blow cavity splitmolds 62A and 62B are disposed at line-symmetrical positions withrespect to the blow molding centerline when the blow mold is opened.

The row pitch of the two rows of holding plates 30 is set to P3 in astate in which the two rows of blow molds 60 are opened, and thepreliminarily blow-molded preform 1B is transferred to the space betweenthe pair of blow cavity split molds 62A and 62B of each of the two rowsof blow molds 60. If the row pitch of the two rows of holding plates 30is set to P1 (P1<P3), the preliminarily blow-molded preform 1Binterferes with the blow cavity split mold 62A when the preform 1B istransferred to the space between the pair of blow cavity split molds 62Aand 62B. If the row pitch of the two rows of holding plates 30 is set tothe maximum pitch P2 (see JP-B-8-13501), interference with anothermember may occur, or space-saving may not be implemented due to anincrease in the radius of rotation.

The row pitch of the two rows of holding plates 30 may be set to P3before starting the temperature control step in order to preventinterference. In this case, the row pitch of the two rows oftemperature-controlled pot molds 50 is set to P3. It suffices that therow pitch of the two rows of holding plates 30 be set to P3 in a statein which the preforms 1B are held by the two rows of holding plates 30so that interference with the two rows of blow molds 60 can beprevented. In FIG. 5, the preliminarily blow-molded preforms 1B aretransferred to the two rows of blow molds 60 that are set at the rowpitch P2. Note that another configuration may also be employed (seeFIGS. 16 and 17). The blow cavity split mold 62B may be closed inadvance to a position at which the blow cavity split mold 62B does notinterfere with the preliminarily blow-molded preform 1B. This makes itpossible to implement the blow molding operation within one cycle.

The two rows of blow molds 60 are closed after the transfer operationillustrated in FIG. 5, and the row pitch of the two rows of blow molds60 is set to P1 (see FIG. 6). The row pitch of the two rows of holdingplates 30 is also set to P1. In this case, the row pitch changeoperation of the two rows of holding plates 30 may be performed insynchronization with the closing operation of the two rows of blow molds60. Note that the row pitch of the two rows of raised-bottom molds 63may be fixed at P1 (see FIG. 6). The blow molding step is implemented byintroducing high-pressure air into the preliminarily blow-moldedpreforms 1B from a blow core mold while moving a stretching rod in thevertical direction.

The two rows of blow molds 60 are opened after the blow molding step.Specifically, the raised-bottom molds 63 are moved downward, and theblow cavity split molds 62B are opened, so that the row pitch of the tworows of blow molds 60 is set to P2 (see FIG. 7). The row pitch of thetwo rows of holding plates is also set to P2, and the containers 1C areremoved (transferred) from the space between the pair of blow cavitysplit molds 62A and 62B of each of the two rows of blow molds 60. Therow pitch change operation of the two rows of holding plates 30 may beperformed in synchronization with the opening operation of the two rowsof blow cavity split molds 62B. The raised-bottom molds 63 are opened inadvance because they interfere with the raised bottom 1C1 of thecontainers 1C, and damage the containers 1C if the raised-bottom molds63 are set at the blow molding position when the containers 1C held bythe holding plates 30 are moved in the horizontal direction togetherwith the blow cavity split molds 62B.

The transfer plate 20A is then moved upward, and rotated to transfer thetwo rows of containers 1C at a row pitch of P2.

In the ejection station 18, the row pitch of the two rows of holdingplates 30 is set to P1 (see FIG. 8). The holding plate 30 includes apair of split plates 30A and 30B, and the neck mold 42 includes a pairof neck molds 42A and 42B that are respectively secured on the splitplates 30A and 30B. Therefore, the containers 1C can be ejected byopening the pair of neck molds 42A and 42B by a known method (see FIG.8). Although the row pitch P1 of the two rows of holding plates 30 issmall, the opening/closing stroke of the two rows of holding plates 30can be provided by driving the two rows of holding plates 30 one by one(see FIG. 8).

2. Blow Molding Apparatus 2.1. Outline of Injection Molding Station andBlow Molding Station

FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating the blow molding apparatus in whichthe molds are not provided. A lower base 72 is secured on a stage 70,and an upper base 74 is secured above the lower base 72. FIG. 9illustrates the injection molding station 12 and the blow moldingstation 16. In the injection molding station 12 and the blow moldingstation 16 illustrated in FIG. 9, the transfer plates 20A and 20C havebeen moved downward to the height H2 or H3 (see FIGS. 2 and 5 to 7). Inthe injection molding station 12, the injection core molds 40 (see FIG.2) are disposed on the lower base 72. In the blow molding station 16,the blow molds 60 (see FIGS. 5 to 7) are disposed on the lower base 72.The following description is given taking an example in which thetransfer plate 20A is positioned in the injection molding station 12,the transfer plate 20B is positioned in the temperature control station14, the transfer plate 20C is positioned in the blow molding station 16,and the transfer plate 20D is positioned in the ejection station 18.

A plurality of driving rods 82 that are used to move the transfer plate20A upward and downward are provided in the injection molding station12, the plurality of driving rods 82 extending downward from a receivingmember 80 that holds the transfer plate 20A so that the transfer plate20A can be rotated and moved upward and downward. The lower ends of theplurality of driving rods 82 are connected via a connection member 84.The transfer plate 20A is moved upward and downward by a transfer platedriver section 86 that includes a cylinder 86A that is secured on thelower base 72, and a rod 86B that is secured on the connection member84.

A plurality of driving rods 92 that are used to move the transfer plate20C upward and downward are provided in the blow molding station 16, theplurality of driving rods 92 extending upward from a receiving member 90that holds the transfer plate 20C so that the transfer plate 20C can berotated and moved upward and downward. A transfer plate driver section(not illustrated in FIG. 9) that moves the plurality of driving rods 92upward and downward via a connection member is provided on the upperbase 74.

A vertical mold-closing device 100, an injection core-removing section102, and the like are also provided in the injection molding station 12.A stretching rod driver section 104, a blow core driver section 106, araised-bottom mold driver section (driver device) 108, a blowpressure-receiving plate driver section 110, and the like are alsoprovided in the blow molding station 16.

The following description focuses on the temperature control station 14,the blow molding station 16, and the ejection station 18 in which therow pitch is changed.

2.2. Temperature Control Station and Row Pitch Change Link Mechanism

FIG. 10 illustrates the temperature control station 14 in a state inwhich the temperature-controlled pot molds 50 illustrated in FIG. 3 arenot provided. A pot stage 122 that is moved upward and downward by a potdriver section 120 secured on the lower base 72 is disposed in thetemperature control station 14. The temperature-controlled pot molds 50illustrated in FIG. 3 can be moved upward and downward by the pot driversection 120.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view illustrating the transfer plates 20A to 20C.FIG. 11 illustrates a state in which the neck mold is not secured on theholding plate 30. A P1-P3 pitch change section 140 (i.e., row pitchchange section 130) that changes the row pitch of the two rows ofholding plates 30 provided on the transfer plate 20B that has stopped atthe temperature control station 14 from P1 to P3 is provided on theupper base 74. The P1-P3 pitch change section 140 may be disposed oneach end of the holding plate 30 in the longitudinal direction.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the P1-P3 pitch change sectionincludes a swing arm 144 that swings around a swing shaft 142 supportedby the upper base 74, and an arm driver section 146 that swings theswing arm 144. The arm driver section 146 includes a cylinder 146A thatis secured on the upper base 74, and a rod 146B that is connected to oneend of the swing arm 144 using a pin or the like. When the rod 146B isextended by the cylinder 146A, the other end (that is provided with aroller 144A, for example) of the swing arm 144 is moved upward.

The two rows of holding plates 30 secured on the transfer plate (20A to20D) are provided with a row pitch change link mechanism 150 thatdisplaces due to the driving force applied by the P1-P3 pitch changesection 140 (i.e., row pitch change section 130), and changes the rowpitch, the row pitch change link mechanism 150 being provided on eachend of the two rows of holding plates 30 in the longitudinal direction.The row pitch change link mechanism 150 includes a pair of first arms150A, one end of the pair of first arms 150A being rotatably supportedby the two rows of holding plates 30, and a link arm 150B that rotatablylinks the other end of the pair of first arms 150A either eccentricallyor coaxially. The row pitch change link mechanism 150 also includes aguide rod 152 that is moved (guided) when changing the row pitch, oneend of the guide rod 152 being secured on the link arm 150B, and theother end of the guide rod 152 being supported by the transfer plate20B. The guide rod 152 includes engagement sections 152A, 152B, and 152Cthat are spaced along the vertical direction (moving direction). Theengagement section 152C is illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, and theengagement sections 152A and 152B are illustrated in FIG. 14. Asillustrated in FIG. 14, the engagement sections 152A, 152B, and 152C areannular grooves formed in the surface of the guide rod 152.

When the P1-P3 pitch change section 140 swings the swing arm 144 fromthe state illustrated in FIG. 12 (row pitch: P1) to the stateillustrated in FIG. 13 (row pitch: P3), the roller 144A provided on theend of the swing arm 144 causes the link arm 150B of the row pitchchange link mechanism 150 to move upward. The angle formed by the pairof first arms 150A can thus be increased (see FIG. 13), so that the rowpitch of the two rows of holding plates 30 can be increased. Since thepair of first arms 150A move line-symmetrically with respect to theguide rod 152 (centerline), the two rows of holding plates 30 also moveline-symmetrically with respect to the centerline that perpendicularlyintersects the row direction.

The transfer plate 20B may include a row pitch-keeping member 160 thatkeeps the row pitch of the two rows of holding plates at P1, P2, or P3.As illustrated in FIG. 14, the row pitch-keeping member 160 includes aguide tubular body 162 that includes a fitting section 162A that isfitted into a hole formed in the transfer plate 20B. A through-hole 162Binto which the guide rod 152 is inserted (in which the guide rod 152 isguided) is formed in the guide tubular body 162. As illustrated in FIG.15, the through-hole 162B communicates with a plurality of (e.g., four)radial holes 162C. An engagement section 165 that elastically engagesone of the engagement sections 152A, 152B, and 152C is supported withineach radial hole 162C. The engagement section 165 includes a plunger 164that is fitted into one of the engagement sections 152A, 152B, and 152C,a pair of split rings 166A and 166B that prevent removal of the plunger164, and an elastic member (e.g., O-ring 168) that is provided along thepair of split rings 166A and 166B. The plunger 164 may include aspherical body and a shaft.

When the row pitch is P1 (see FIG. 12), the engagement section 165elastically engages the engagement section 152A (see FIG. 14). Since theheight of the guide rod 152 is fixed at this position, the row pitch ofthe holding plates 30 is kept at P1 by the row pitch change linkmechanism 150. When the guide rod 152 has been displaced as illustratedin FIG. 13 after the temperature control step, the engagement section165 elastically engages the engagement section 152B (i.e., the row pitchis changed to P2).

2.3. Blow Molding Station

The details of the blow molding station 16 are described below withreference to FIGS. 16 to 20. Note that an attachment/removal structurefor the two rows of blow molds 60 including the raised-bottom molds 63is described later.

FIG. 16 illustrates a state in which the two rows of holding plates 30set to the row pitch P3 have been transferred to the blow moldingstation 16 together with the transfer plate 20C. FIG. 17 illustrates astate in which the transfer plate has been moved downward to the heightH3 from the height H1 (see FIG. 16), and the preliminary blow-moldedpreforms 1B held by the two rows of holding plates 30 that are set tothe row pitch P3 have been transferred to the two rows of blow molds 60that are set to an open state. In FIGS. 16 and 17, the two rows of blowmolds 60 have been closed so that the row pitch is larger than P3 tosome extent instead of P2 (see FIG. 5). This makes it possible to reducethe mold closing time as compared with the case of closing the blow mold60 from the row pitch P2 after the preliminary blow-molded preform 1Bhas been transferred to the blow mold 60.

The blow molding step is then performed by closing the two rows of blowmolds 60 (see FIG. 18). A mold closing/opening device 200 thatcloses/opens the two rows of blow molds 60 is described below.

The mold closing/opening device 200 includes two mold closing/openingsections 202 that close or open the blow cavity split molds 62B of thetwo rows of blow molds 60 that are positioned on the outer side in therow direction. The mold closing/opening section 202 includes a hydrauliccylinder 204 and a rod 206, for example. Each rod 206 is connected to amold closing plate 208 on which the blow cavity split mold 62B issecured. Since the two mold closing/opening sections 202 thatrespectively drive the two blow cavity split molds 62B are provided, themold closing/opening device 200 can be formed without using a tie rod(bar).

Therefore, the blow mold 60 and the like can be transferred in thehorizontal direction through the side of the blow molding apparatus whenremoving or maintaining the blow mold 60 and the like. When a horizontaltie rod is provided as illustrated in FIG. 10 of JP-B-8-13501, it takestime to transfer the blow mold 60 and the like due to the horizontal tierod.

The mold closing/opening sections 202 are hydraulically controlled insynchronization, but may not move the blow cavity split molds 62B inmechanical synchronization. In order to deal with this problem, the moldclosing/opening device 200 is provided with a split mold synchronizationmember 210 that moves the blow cavity split molds 62B insynchronization. The split mold synchronization member 210 includesracks 212 and 214 that are respectively connected to the blow cavitysplit molds 62B, and a pinion gear 216 that includes a gear 216A thatengages the racks 212 and 214. This makes it possible to move the blowcavity split molds 62B in synchronization.

In the blow molding station 16, the row pitch change section 130includes a P1-P2 pitch change section 220 that increases the row pitchof the two rows of holding plates 30 that hold the preliminarilyblow-molded preforms 1B from P1 to P2 in synchronization with theopening motion of the two rows of blow molds 60. The P1-P2 pitch changesection 220 engages the split mold synchronization member 210 that isdisplaced corresponding to the synchronization movement of the blowcavity split molds 62B, and changes the row pitch of the two rows ofholding plates 30 from P1 to P2 in synchronization with the openingmotion of the blow cavity split molds 62B.

The P1-P2 pitch change section 220 includes a gear 216B that is providedcoaxially with the gear 216A of the pinion gear 216, and a rack 218 thatengages the gear 216 and is moved upward and downward. A driving rod218A that moves the guide rod 152 upward via the link arm 150B of therow pitch change link mechanism 150 provided to the two rows of holdingplates 30 is secured on the rack 218.

The row pitch change section 130 also includes a P3-P1 pitch changesection 230 that reduces the row pitch of the two rows of holding plates30 that hold the preliminarily blow-molded preforms 1B from P3 to P1 insynchronization with the closing motion of the two rows of blow molds60. The P3-P1 pitch change section 230 includes two pressing sections232 that protrude toward each other above the mold closing plates 208.The pressing sections 232 press the two rows of holding plates 30 or anaccessory thereof when the mold closing plates 208 move in the moldclosing direction, and the row pitch of the two rows of holding plates30 is set to P1 upon completion of the mold closing motion.

The blow molding station 16 that includes the mold closing/openingdevice 200, the split mold synchronization member 210, the P1-P2 pitchchange section 220, and the P3-P1 pitch change section 230 can implementthe mold closing motion illustrated in FIG. 18 and the mold openingmotion illustrated in FIG. 19. When implementing the mold closing motionillustrated in FIG. 18, the two rows of blow molds 60 are closed at therow pitch P1, and the row pitch of the two rows of holding plates 30 isalso set to P1 by the P3-P1 pitch change section 230 and the row pitchchange link mechanism 150. When implementing the mold opening motionillustrated in FIG. 19, the two rows of blow molds 60 are opened at therow pitch P2, and the link arm 150B is moved upward by the P1-P2 pitchchange section 220 and the row pitch change link mechanism 150 via thedriving rod 218A so that the row pitch of the two rows of holding plates30 is also set to P2.

FIG. 20 illustrates a state in which the transfer plate 20C has beenreturned to the height H1, and the containers 1C have been removed fromthe two rows of blow molds 60. The row pitch of the two rows of holdingplates 30 is maintained at P2. The transfer plate 20C is thenintermittently transferred to the ejection station 18.

2.4. Ejection Station

The row pitch change section 130 includes a P2-P1 pitch change section240 that changes the row pitch of the two rows of holding plates 30 fromP2 to P1 before the containers 1C are ejected from the two rows ofholding plates 30 in the ejection station 18 illustrated in FIGS. 21 and22. The P2-P1 pitch change section 240 is disposed on each end of theholding plate 30 in the longitudinal direction. The P2-P1 pitch changesection 240 includes a cylinder 242 that is secured on the upper base74, and a rod 244 that is inserted and removed by the cylinder 242. Therod 244 that has been driven presses the guide rod 152 of the row pitchchange link mechanism 150, so that the row pitch of the two rows ofholding plates 30 is changed from P2 to P1. FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate astate after the row pitch of the two rows of holding plates 30 has beenchanged to P1.

The ejection station 18 further includes an ejection section 250 thatejects the containers 1C from the two rows of holding plates 30. Each ofthe two rows of holding plates 30 includes a pair of split plates, andeach of the neck molds 42 includes a pair of neck split molds secured onthe pair of split plates. The containers 1C are ejected by increasingthe interval between the pair of split plates (see FIG. 3 ofJP-B-8-13501, for example).

The ejection section 250 that is provided corresponding to each rowincludes a cylinder 252 that is secured on the upper base 74, a rod 254that is inserted and removed by the cylinder 252, and a wedge-likemember 256 that is secured on the lower end of the rod 254. The ejectionstation 18 ejects the containers 1C sequentially from the two rows ofholding plates 30 that are disposed at the row pitch P1. FIG. 22illustrates a state in which the containers 1C have been ejected fromthe holding plates 30 in the right row. As illustrated in FIG. 21, theinterval between the two rows of holding plates 30 that are disposed atthe row pitch P1 is narrow. If the containers 1C are simultaneouslyejected from the two rows of holding plates 30 that are disposed at therow pitch P1, the holding plates 30 interfere with each other. Suchinterference can be prevented by increasing the pitch of the holdingplates during ejection. However, since the subsequent step is theinjection molding step (row pitch: P1), it is advantageous to eject thecontainers 1C in a state in which the two rows of holding plates 30 aredisposed at the row pitch P1 in order to omit an unnecessary change inrow pitch and implement space-saving. The row pitch of the two rows ofholding plates 30 can be maintained at P1 during ejection by ejectingthe containers 1C sequentially from the two rows of holding plates 30.

3. Blow Mold Unit 3.1. Structure of Blow Mold Unit

FIG. 23 is a schematic oblique view illustrating the blow moldingstation 16 that includes a blow mold unit 300. As illustrated in FIG.23, the blow mold unit 300 that is secured on the lower base 72 of theblow molding apparatus 10 includes the blow mold 60 that includes afirst blow cavity split mold 62A and a second blow cavity split mold 62Bthat are closed so that the parting surface of the first blow cavitysplit mold 62A and the parting surface of the second blow cavity splitmold 62B come in contact with each other, and a plurality ofraised-bottom molds 63 that respectively define a raised-bottom shape ina plurality of cavities defined by the first blow cavity split mold 62Aand the second blow cavity split mold 62B.

The blow mold unit 300 also includes a first securing plate 310 on whichthe first blow cavity split mold 62A is secured, and a second securingplate 312 on which the second blow cavity split mold 62B is secured.When the blow mold unit 300 includes two rows of blow molds 60, thefirst blow cavity split molds 62A of the two rows of blow molds 60 aresecured on the first securing plate 310 in a back-to-back arrangement.In the blow mold unit 300 that includes the two rows of blow molds 60,two second securing plates 312 are respectively connected to the twomold closing plates 208 of the mold closing/opening device 200. When theblow mold unit 300 includes only one row of blow mold 60, the firstsecuring plate 310 and the second securing plate 312 are respectivelyconnected to the two mold closing plates 208 of the mold closing/openingdevice 200 (see FIG. 5 of JP-A-8-244103, for example).

The blow mold unit 300 also includes first pressure-receiving plates 320that are respectively disposed on either side of the first blow cavitysplit mold 62A or either side of the second blow cavity split mold 62B,and are respectively secured on the first securing plate 310 or thesecond securing plate 312. Four first pressure-receiving plates 320 areprovided to one row of blow mold 60, and eight first pressure-receivingplates 320 are provided to two rows of blow molds 60. Each pair of firstpressure-receiving plates 320 disposed opposite to each other receivesthe clamping force applied to the first blow cavity split mold 62A andthe second blow cavity split mold 62B.

The blow mold unit 300 also includes a mechanism that supports theplurality of raised-bottom molds 63. The mechanism that supports theplurality of raised-bottom molds 63 is described below with reference toFIGS. 24 and 25. The blow mold unit 300 includes a third securing plate330 that is disposed between the first securing plate 310 and the secondsecuring plate 312 (see FIG. 25), the plurality of raised-bottom molds63 being secured on a first side 330A of the third securing plate 330(see FIG. 24). A plurality of (e.g., four) shafts 340 (342, 344) aresuspended from a second side 330B of the third securing plate 330opposite to the first side 330A, the lower end of each of the pluralityof shafts 340 being a free end. The blow mold unit 300 also includes aplurality of second pressure-receiving plates 350 (352, 354) that aresecured on the first securing plate 310 and the second securing plate312 at a position below the third securing plate.

The third securing plate 330 that supports the plurality ofraised-bottom molds 63 is thus disposed between the first securing plate310 and the second securing plate 312 on which the first blow cavitysplit mold 62A, the second blow cavity split mold 62B, the firstpressure-receiving plate 320, and the second pressure-receiving plate350 are secured, and comes in contact with the second pressure-receivingplates 350 that are secured on the first securing plate 310 and thesecond securing plate 312 at a position below the third securing plate330, so that the third securing plate 330 can be positioned whenattaching or removing the blow mold unit 300.

The first blow cavity split mold 62A, the second blow cavity split mold62B, and the raised-bottom molds 63 are thus integrated as a unit. Theshafts 340 that are suspended from the third securing plate 330 andserve as a driving shaft that moves the raised-bottom molds 63 upwardand downward are separated from the raised-bottom mold driver device 108of the blow molding apparatus 10 when attaching or removing the blowmold unit 300. The first securing plate 310 and the second securingplate 312 are also separated from the mold closing plate 208 of the moldclosing/opening device 200 when attaching or removing the blow mold unit300. Therefore, the blow mold unit 300 can be integrally attached to orremoved from the blow molding apparatus 10.

Note that the blow mold unit 300 can be attached or removed in adirection indicated by an arrow A illustrated in FIG. 11 (plan view),for example. When the blow mold unit 300 includes two rows of blow molds60 that have a large volume and are heavy, it becomes unnecessary toprovide a horizontal tie rod by securing the first blow cavity splitmolds 62A of the two rows of blow molds 60 on the first securing plate310 in a back-to-back arrangement. Therefore, the blow mold unit 300does not interfere with another member when the blow mold unit 300 isattached or removed in the direction indicated by the arrow Aillustrated in FIG. 11 (plan view).

As illustrated in FIG. 24, two shafts 340 among the four shafts 340 thatare positioned on either side in the arrangement direction of theraised-bottom molds 63 may be first shafts 342, and the remaining shafts340 among the four shafts 340 may be second shafts 344. As illustratedin FIG. 26, the first shaft 342 includes a fixed end 342A that issecured on the third securing plate 330, and a free end 342B, a groove(connection section) 342C being formed in the free end 342B. Asillustrated in FIG. 27, the second shaft 344 includes a fixed end 344Athat is secured on the third securing plate 330, and a free end 344B,the free end 344B being in the shape of a flange 344C, differing fromthe free end 342B in which the groove 342C is formed.

A first connection section 360 is disposed under the free end 342B ofthe first shaft 342 (see FIGS. 24, 25, and 28A). A second connectionsection 362 is disposed under the free end 344B of the second shaft 344(see FIG. 24). The first connection section 360 and the secondconnection section 362 are secured on the upper end of four driving rods(not illustrated) of the raised-bottom mold driver section (driverdevice) 108 illustrated in FIG. 9 by screwing or the like. Therefore,when the driving rods are moved upward by the raised-bottom mold driversection (driver device) 108, the four shafts 340 (342, 344) are movedupward via the first connection section 360 and the second connectionsection 362, so that the raised-bottom molds 63 secured on the thirdsecuring plate 330 can be closed. The four shafts 340 (342, 344) come incontact with the upper end of the four driving rods (not illustrated) ofthe raised-bottom mold driver section (driver device) 108, and receivepressure when the raised-bottom molds 63 are closed.

When the driving rods are moved downward by the raised-bottom molddriver section (driver device) 108, the raised-bottom molds 63 are moveddownward (opened) via the two first shafts 342. A coupling member 370 isprovided to couple the first shaft 342 and the first connection section360.

As illustrated in FIG. 28A, the first connection section 360 coupled bythe coupling member 370 includes a connection section (groove) 360Asimilar to the connection section (groove) 342C of the first shaft 342.The coupling member 370 includes a first coupling section 372, and asecond coupling section 374 that can be opened and closed relative tothe first coupling section 372 via a hinge section 274, for example. Thefirst coupling section 372 includes a first protrusion section 372A anda second protrusion section 372B that are respectively fitted into theconnection section (groove) 342C of the first shaft 342 and theconnection section (groove) 360A of the first connection section 360.The second coupling section 374 includes a first protrusion section 374Aand a second protrusion section 374B that are respectively fitted intothe connection section (groove) 342C of the first shaft 342 and theconnection section (groove) 360A of the first connection section 360.The first shaft 342 and the first connection section 360 are coupled byclosing the first coupling section 372 and the second coupling section374, and securing the first coupling section 372 and the second couplingsection 374 using bolts 376.

According to the above configuration, since the first shafts 342 can beconnected to or disconnected from the upper end of the driving rodsusing the coupling members 370, the blow mold unit 300 can be easilyexchanged. Moreover, the coupling member 370 can be attached and removedon the base if the free ends 342B and 344B of the shafts 340 are alwayspositioned above the lower base 72. When the two first shafts 342coupled by the coupling members 370 are positioned on either side in thearrangement direction of the raised-bottom molds 36, a sufficientcoupling space can be provided on either side in the arrangementdirection of the raised-bottom molds 36 (see FIG. 11), so that theworkability is improved. In this case, since the second shafts 344 aredisposed between the first shafts 342 coupled by the coupling members370, flexure of the third securing plate 330 can be prevented, so thatthe accuracy of the height of the raised-bottom molds 36 can beimproved. This improves the molding quality of the molded articles 1C.

The free ends 342B and 344B of the shafts 340 (first shafts 342 andsecond shafts 344) provided in the blow mold unit 300 are alwayspositioned above an upper side level L0 of the lower base 72 of the blowmolding apparatus 10. The lowermost side of the blow mold unit 300 isformed by slide plates 310A and 312A that are provided at the lower endof the first securing plate 310 and the second securing plate 312, andslide on the lower base 72 (see FIG. 24). A horizontal level L1illustrated in FIG. 28A is the position of the lower side of the freeends 342B and 344B of the shafts 340 (first shafts 342 and second shafts344) in a state in which the raised-bottom molds 36 are moved upward(closed). In this case, the distance ΔL between the horizontal levels L0and L1 is 30 mm, for example. Since the elevating length of theraised-bottom molds 63 is 10.5 mm, for example, the distance ΔL is 19.5mm even when the raised-bottom molds 63 are moved downward.

The free ends 342B and 344B of the shafts 340 (first shafts 342 andsecond shafts 344) are moved to the lowest position when the thirdsecuring plate 330 is moved downward to come in contact with the secondpressure-receiving plates 350 when attaching or removing the blow moldunit 300 in a state in which the coupling members 370 are removed. Inthis case, the distance ΔL between the horizontal levels L0 and L1 is12.5 mm, for example. Therefore, the free ends 342B and 344B of theshafts 340 (first shafts 342 and second shafts 344) are alwayspositioned above the upper side level L0 of the lower base 72 of theblow molding apparatus 10. Specifically, the blow mold unit 300 does nothave a member that protrudes downward from the slide plates 310A and312A that slide on the lower base 72 of the blow molding apparatus 10when attaching or removing the blow mold unit 300. This makes itpossible to attach or remove the blow mold unit 300 by integrallysliding the blow mold unit 300 on the lower base 72 of the blow moldingapparatus 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 25, the second pressure-receiving plate 352 amongthe plurality of second pressure-receiving plates 350 that surrounds thefirst shaft 342 is formed in the shape of a pair of split molds, one ofthe pair of split molds being secured on the first securing plate 310,and the other of the pair of split molds being secured on the secondsecuring plate 312. The second pressure-receiving plate 352 receivespressure when the mold is closed in a state in which the opposing sidesof the pair of split molds that form the second pres sure-receivingplate 352 come in contact with each other. The second pressure-receivingplate 352 does not interfere with the first shaft 342 when the mold isclosed due to a clearance section formed in the secondpressure-receiving plate 352. As illustrated in FIG. 24, the secondpressure-receiving plate 354 among the plurality of secondpressure-receiving plates 350 that surrounds the second shaft 344 isintegrally formed, and is provided with a bush 356 that surrounds thesecond shaft 344, the second pressure-receiving plate 354 being securedon the first securing plate 310. The second pressure-receiving plate 354receives pressure when the mold is closed in a state in which theopposing sides of the second pressure-receiving plate 354 and the secondsecuring plate 312 come in contact with each other.

As illustrated in FIG. 25, a temperature control medium passage 310B maybe provided in the first securing plate 310, a temperature controlmedium passage 312B may be provided in the second securing plate 312,and a temperature control medium passage 330C may be provided in thethird securing plate 330. In this case, the first blow cavity split mold62A and the second blow cavity split mold 62B can be controlled intemperature (e.g., cooled) via the first securing plate 310 and thesecond securing plate 312. Likewise, the raised-bottom molds 63 can becontrolled in temperature (e.g., cooled) via the third securing plate330. Note that the passage 330C provided in the third securing plate 330may communicate with a temperature control medium passage 63A providedin the raised-bottom molds 63. The second pressure-receiving plates 350can also be controlled in temperature (e.g., cooled) via the thirdsecuring plate 330. This makes it possible to prevent thermal expansionof the pressure-receiving plates 350, so that adhesion to the shafts 340can be maintained.

The blow mold unit 300 may include mounting sections 314 (see FIG. 23)by which a temporary securing member (not illustrated) is removablysecured, the temporary securing member temporarily securing the twosecond securing plates 312 and positioning the two second securingplates 312 relative to the first securing plate when attaching orremoving the blow mold unit 300 to or from the blow molding apparatus10. The mounting sections 314 may be bolt holes for securing aplate-shaped temporary securing member (not illustrated) using bolts,for example. The mounting sections 314 may be formed in the two secondsecuring plates 312, or may be formed in a member that is integrallyformed with the second securing plate 312. In one embodiment of theinvention, the mounting sections 314 are formed in the firstpressure-receiving plates 320 respectively secured on the secondsecuring plates 312 (see FIG. 23). The temporary securing member may beattached in a state in which the two second securing plates 312 areclosed.

According to the above configuration, the two second securing plates 312that have been removed from the mold closing/opening device 200 can bepositioned relative to the first securing plate 310 when attaching orremoving the blow mold unit 300. Therefore, the members of the blow moldunit 300 are integrally secured, so that handling is facilitated.

When the blow mold unit 300 includes only one row of blow mold 60, theblow mold unit 300 may include mounting sections (e.g., bolt holes) forremovably securing a temporary securing member that temporarily securesthe first securing plate 310 and the second securing plate 312.

As illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 29, the blow mold unit 300 may furtherinclude two securing blocks 380 that are secured on the lower base 72.Note that FIGS. 23 and 29 illustrate one securing block 380. Thesecuring blocks 380 are respectively secured on the firstpressure-receiving plates 320 that are positioned on either side of thefirst blow cavity split molds 62A secured on the first securing plate310 using bolts 382. The securing block 380 allows the two firstpressure-receiving plates 320 to be secured on the lower base 72 usingbolts 384. Note that the securing block 380 has a clearance hole 386that allows the driving rod 218A of the P1-P2 pitch change section topass through.

When opening or closing the blow molds, it is unnecessary to move thefirst securing plate 310 on which the two first blow cavity split molds62A are secured in a back-to-back arrangement. Therefore, the firstpressure-receiving plates 320 secured on the first securing plate 310are secured on the lower base 72 of the blow molding apparatus 10 viathe two securing blocks 380. This makes it possible to secure the blowmold unit 300 on the blow molding apparatus 10. Note that this structuremay also be applied when the blow mold unit 300 does not include theraised-bottom mold.

In one embodiment of the invention, each of the two securing blocks 380may include a roller 390 that comes in rolling contact with the lowerbase 72, and a roller driving member 392 that moves the roller 390downward from an upward position at which the roller 390 does not comein rolling contact with the lower base 72 to a downward position atwhich the roller 390 comes in rolling contact with the lower base 72.This structure may also be applied when the blow mold unit 300 does notinclude the raised-bottom mold.

When the roller 390 has been moved downward by the roller driving member392, and has come in rolling contact with the lower base 72, the blowmold unit 300 can be slid on the lower base 72 by merely pressing theblow mold unit 300, so that burden due to attachment/removal work can bereduced.

The roller 390 is attached to a support 391 that supports a shaft 390 ofthe roller 390. The roller driving member 392 may include an inner case393 that supports the support 391, an outer case 394 that surrounds theinner case 393, a first bolt 395 that couples the inner case 393 and theouter case 394, an intermediate plate 396 that is horizontally disposedbetween the inner case 393 and the outer case 394, and is guided by thefirst bolt 395 in the vertical direction, and a second bolt 397 that isscrewed into the outer case 394, and moves the intermediate plate 396downward when rotated. When the intermediate plate 396 is moved downwardby rotating the second bolt 397, the inner case 393 is moved downwardrelative to the outer case 394. The roller 390 that is supported by theinner case 393 via the support 391 can thus be moved downward. Theexternal force that moves the roller 390 downward is canceled byrotating the second bolt 397 in the reverse direction, and the roller390 returns to the previous position due to the weight of the blow moldunit 300.

As illustrated in FIG. 23, the blow mold unit 300 may further includetwo reinforcing plates 400 (only one reinforcing plate 400 isillustrated in FIG. 23), either end of each of the two reinforcingplates 400 being secured on the outer wall of the two moldclosing/opening sections 202 secured on the lower base 72. The middlepart of each of the two reinforcing plates 400 may secure the two firstpressure-receiving plates 210 on either side of the first blow cavitysplit molds 62A on the two mold closing/opening sections 202 at aposition higher than the two securing blocks 380.

The two reinforcing plates 400 prevent a situation in which the upperend of the two first blow cavity split molds 62A that are secured by thetwo securing blocks 380 at the lower end falls in the moldopening/closing direction. When closing the blow molds, the two secondblow cavity split molds 62B are moved in synchronization using the splitmold synchronization member 210. However, the two second blow cavitysplit molds 62B may not be moved in synchronization due to backlash of arack and a pinion, for example. If only one of the two second blowcavity split molds 62B is closed in advance relative to the first blowcavity split mold 62A, the upper end of the first blow cavity split mold62A that is secured only at the lower end may fall. Therefore, asituation in which the first blow cavity split mold 62A falls isprevented using the two reinforcing plates 400. Note that thereinforcing plates 400 are removed when attaching or removing the blowmold unit 300. This structure may also be applied when the blow moldunit 300 does not include the raised-bottom mold.

As illustrated in FIG. 23, a plurality of stoppers 410 may be formed onthe upper side of the first securing plate 310 so that the plurality ofstoppers 410 protrude from the upper side of the first securing plate310, the plurality of stoppers 410 restricting the lower limit positionof the transfer plates 20A to 20D that transfer the plurality of neckmolds 42 that are clamped to the first blow cavity split mold 62A andthe second blow cavity split mold 62B.

The plurality of stoppers 410 can implement a function of a lower limitstopper for the transfer plates 20A to 20D and a function that maintainsthe parallelism of the transfer plates 20A to 20D. If the transferplates 20A to 20D are tilted or warped in the arrangement direction ofthe plurality of neck molds 42, the clamping (closing) height of theplurality of neck molds 42 becomes non-uniform, so that the moldingquality deteriorates. A stopper that comes in contact with the firstsecuring plate 310 of the blow mold unit 300 in the blow molding station16 may be provided on the transfer plates 20A to 20D. However, thisresults in an increase in the number of parts since it is necessary toprovide the stoppers to each of the four transfer plates 20A to 20D.Moreover, the stoppers that always protrude from the transfer plates 20Ato 20D may interfere with another member when the transfer plates 20A to20D are moved to the stations 12, 14, and 18 other than the blow moldingstation 16. It may be possible to improve the accuracy of the height ofthe first blow cavity split mold 62A and the second blow cavity splitmold 62B instead of improving the accuracy of the height of the transferplates 20A to 20D. However, since the first blow cavity split mold 62Aand the second blow cavity split mold 62B are supported on the lowerbase 72 through a plurality of members such as the first securing plate310 and the securing block 380, it is easier to improve the accuracy ofthe height of the transfer plates 20A to 20D.

3.2. Attachment/Removal of Blow Mold Unit

When attaching the blow mold unit 300 to the blow molding apparatus 10,the blow mold unit 300 is placed on the lower base 72 in the directionindicated by the arrow A illustrated in FIG. 11, and then slid. In thiscase, the reinforcing plates 400 (see FIG. 23) are removed, and the twosecond securing plates 312 are secured in a closed state using thetemporary securing member (not illustrated) and the bolt holes 314. Theroller 390 is set to the downward position by rotating the second bolt397 of the roller driving member 392 (see FIG. 29). This makes itpossible to integrally transfer the first blow cavity split molds 62A,the second blow cavity split molds 62B, and the raised-bottom molds 63(blow mold unit 300) to the blow molding apparatus 10.

The temporary securing member is removed when the blow mold unit 300 hasbeen slid to a given position. The raised-bottom molds 63 are thencoupled to the raised-bottom mold driver section (driver device) 108,for example. The coupling member 370 is disposed as illustrated in FIG.28B, and closed as illustrated in FIG. 28C. This work can be performedat a convenient position on either end of the blow mold unit 300 in thelongitudinal direction. Moreover, since the first shaft 342 coupled bythe coupling member 370 is positioned above the lower base 72 of theblow molding apparatus 10, the coupling work is further facilitated.

As illustrated in FIG. 29, the two securing blocks 380 are secured onthe lower base 72 using the bolts 384. The two second securing plates312 are then connected to the two mold closing plates 208. Thereinforcing plates 400 are then secured as illustrated in FIG. 23. Theblow mold unit 300 can thus be attached to the blow molding apparatus10. Note that the above attachment process is merely an example. Theorder of the steps may be arbitrarily changed. The blow mold unit 300may be removed from the blow molding apparatus 10 by performing theabove steps in the reverse order.

Although only some embodiments of the invention have been described indetail above, those skilled in the art would readily appreciate thatmany modifications are possible in the embodiments without materiallydeparting from the novel teachings and advantages of the invention.Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be included within thescope of the invention. Any term cited with a different term having abroader meaning or the same meaning at least once in the specificationand the drawings can be replaced by the different term in any place inthe specification and the drawings.

The invention may be applied to a horizontal transfer blow moldingapparatus instead of a rotary transfer blow molding apparatus.

Although the invention has been described using specific terms, devices,and/or methods, such description is for illustrative purposes of thepreferred embodiment(s) only. Changes may be made to the preferredembodiment(s) by those of ordinary skill in the art without departingfrom the scope of the present invention, which is set forth in thefollowing claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects ofthe preferred embodiment(s) generally may be interchanged in whole or inpart.

1. A blow mold unit that is secured on a base of a blow moldingapparatus, the blow mold unit comprising: a blow mold that includes afirst blow cavity split mold, a second blow cavity split mold, and aplurality of raised-bottom molds, the first blow cavity split mold andthe second blow cavity split mold being closed so that a parting surfaceof the first blow cavity split mold and a parting surface of the secondblow cavity split mold come in contact with each other, and theplurality of raised-bottom molds respectively defining a raised-bottomshape in a plurality of cavities defined by the first blow cavity splitmold and the second blow cavity split mold; a first securing plate onwhich the first blow cavity split mold is secured; a second securingplate on which the second blow cavity split mold is secured; a pluralityof first pressure-receiving plates, the plurality of firstpressure-receiving plates being respectively disposed on either side ofthe first blow cavity split mold and either side of the second blowcavity split mold, and being respectively secured on the first securingplate and the second securing plate; a third securing plate that isdisposed between the first securing plate and the second securing plate,the plurality of raised-bottom molds being secured on a first side ofthe third securing plate; a plurality of shafts that are suspended froma second side of the third securing plate that is opposite to the firstside, a lower end of each of the plurality of shafts being a free end;and a plurality of second pressure-receiving plates that are secured onthe first securing plate and the second securing plate at a positionbelow the third securing plate.
 2. The blow mold unit as defined inclaim 1, further comprising: a slide plate that slides on the base beingsecured on a lower end of each of the first securing plate and thesecond securing plate, and the free ends of the plurality of shaftsbeing positioned above a horizontal height position of a lower side ofthe slide plate in a state in which the third securing plate comes incontact with the plurality of second pressure-receiving plates.
 3. Theblow mold unit as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a connectionsection being formed in the free ends of two shafts among the pluralityof shafts, the connection section being coupled by a coupling member toan upper end of a bottom mold driving rod that protrudes from the base.4. The blow mold unit as defined in claim 3, two secondpressure-receiving plates among the plurality of secondpressure-receiving plates that respectively surround the two shaftsbeing formed in a shape of a pair of split molds that are respectivelysecured on the first securing plate and the second securing plate, andincluding a clearance section that prevent interference with the twoshafts when the first blow cavity split mold and the second blow cavitysplit mold are closed, and two second pressure-receiving plates amongthe plurality of second pressure-receiving plates that respectivelysurround remaining shafts among the plurality of shafts other than thetwo shafts being secured on one of the first securing plate and thesecond securing plate, and being provided with a bush that surrounds ashaft among the remaining shafts.
 5. The blow mold unit as defined inclaim 1, the blow mold being formed by two rows of blow molds, each ofthe two rows of blow molds including the first blow cavity split moldand the second blow cavity split mold that are closed so that theparting surface of the first blow cavity split mold and the partingsurface of the second blow cavity split mold come in contact with eachother, and the plurality of raised-bottom molds, the first blow cavitysplit molds of the two rows of blow molds being secured on the firstsecuring plate in a back-to-back arrangement, and two of the secondsecuring plates being respectively provided corresponding to each of thesecond blow cavity split molds of the two rows of blow molds.
 6. Theblow mold unit as defined in claim 5, further comprising: a mountingsection by which a temporary securing member is removably secured, thetemporary securing member temporarily securing the two second securingplates and positioning the two second securing plates relative to thefirst securing plate when attaching or removing the blow mold unit to orfrom the blow molding apparatus.
 7. The blow mold unit as defined inclaim 5, further comprising: two securing blocks that are secured on thebase, the two securing blocks being respectively secured on two firstpressure-receiving plates among the plurality of firstpressure-receiving plates that are positioned on either side of thefirst blow cavity split molds secured on the first securing plate, andeach of the two securing blocks securing the two firstpressure-receiving plates on the base.
 8. The blow mold unit as definedin claim 7, each of the two securing blocks including a roller thatcomes in rolling contact with the base, and a roller driving member thatmoves the roller downward from an upward position at which the rollerdoes not come in rolling contact with the base to a downward position atwhich the roller comes in rolling contact with the base.
 9. The blowmold unit as defined in claim 7, further comprising: two reinforcingplates, either end of each of the two reinforcing plates being securedon an outer wall of two mold closing/opening sections secured on thebase, a middle part of each of the two reinforcing plates securing thetwo first pres sure-receiving plates on either side of the first blowcavity split molds on the two mold closing/opening sections at aposition higher than the two securing blocks.
 10. A blow mold unit thatis secured on a base of a blow molding apparatus, the blow mold unitcomprising: two rows of blow molds that respectively include a firstblow cavity split mold and a second blow cavity split mold, the firstblow cavity split mold and the second blow cavity split mold beingclosed so that a parting surface of the first blow cavity split mold anda parting surface of the second blow cavity split mold come in contactwith each other; a first securing plate on which the first blow cavitysplit molds of the two rows of blow molds are secured in a back-to-backarrangement; two second securing plates on which the second blow cavitysplit molds of the two rows of blow molds are respectively secured; aplurality of first pressure-receiving plates, the plurality of firstpressure-receiving plates being respectively disposed on either side ofeither of the first blow cavity split molds of the two rows of blowmolds or either side of either of the second blow cavity split molds ofthe two rows of blow molds, and being respectively secured on the firstsecuring plate or either of the two second securing plates; and twosecuring blocks that are secured on the base, the two securing blocksbeing respectively secured on two first pressure-receiving plates amongthe plurality of first pressure-receiving plates that are positioned oneither side of the first blow cavity split molds secured on the firstsecuring plate, and each of the two securing blocks securing the twofirst pressure-receiving plates on the base.
 11. The blow mold unit asdefined in claim 10, each of the two securing blocks including a rollerthat comes in rolling contact with the base, and a roller driving memberthat moves the roller downward from an upward position at which theroller does not come in rolling contact with the base to a downwardposition at which the roller comes in rolling contact with the base. 12.The blow mold unit as defined in claim 10, further comprising: tworeinforcing plates, either end of each of the two reinforcing platesbeing secured on an outer wall of two mold closing/opening sectionssecured on the base, a middle part of each of the two reinforcing platessecuring the two first pres sure-receiving plates on either side of thefirst blow cavity split molds on the two mold closing/opening sectionsat a position higher than the two securing blocks.
 13. A blow moldingapparatus comprising: a base; the blow mold unit as defined in claim 1that is secured on the base; a mold closing/opening device that isprovided on the base, and drives the first securing plate and the secondsecuring plate of the blow mold unit to close or open the first blowcavity split mold and the second blow cavity split mold; and a driverdevice that is provided under the base, and drives the third securingplate of the blow mold unit via the plurality of shafts to move theplurality of raised-bottom molds of the blow mold unit upward anddownward.
 14. A blow molding apparatus comprising: a base; the blow moldunit as defined in claim 5 that is secured on the base; a moldclosing/opening device that is provided on the base, and drives the twosecond securing plates of the blow mold unit to close or open the firstblow cavity split molds and the second blow cavity split molds of thetwo rows of blow molds; and a driver device that is provided under thebase, and drives the third securing plate of the blow mold unit via theplurality of shafts to move the plurality of raised-bottom molds of theblow mold unit upward and downward.
 15. A blow molding apparatuscomprising: a base; the blow mold unit as defined in claim 10 that issecured on the base; and a mold closing/opening device that is providedon the base, and drives the two second securing plates of the blow moldunit to close or open the first blow cavity split molds and the secondblow cavity split molds of the two rows of blow molds.